India ‘strongly’ reiterates to avoid use of force on their fishermen

India has strongly reiterated that the use of force on their fishermen in Sri Lanka’s Northern seas should be avoided under all circumstances, the Indian High Commission in Colombo said following a joint meeting of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group (JWG) on Tuesday.  

“The Indian side drew attention to the recent tragic incidents at sea leading to unfortunate injuries and loss of lives, and strongly reiterated that the use of force should be avoided under all circumstances,” it said in a statement.   

The Indian side urged the Government of Sri Lanka for earliest release of Indian fishermen and their boats under Sri Lankan custody. Indian side also pointed out increase in detention of Indian fishermen and their boats in Sri Lankan custody, including imposition of long sentences and heavy fines, and stressed the need to uphold established understandings and modalities on issues related to fishermen.  

The Indian delegation was led by Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, and Government of India, while the Sri Lankan delegation was led by M. Wickramasinghe, Secretary, Ministry of Fisheries, Government of Sri Lanka   

In June, a Sri Lankan Navy sailor was killed during an operation against Indian fishermen poaching in the Sri Lankan waters, and on August 1, an Indian fisherman from Tamil Nadu died when his boat capsized while resisting arrest in Sri Lankan waters.